NC charter school overhaul bill back in committee

RALEIGH, NC (AP) – North Carolina legislators are pushing ahead with a plan that would increase the number of charter schools from the current statewide limit of 100.

The House Finance Committee on Wednesday debated and tinkered with legislation that would allow the taxpayer-funded schools to increase by 50 each year.

The action comes after weeks of meetings between Republicans, House Democrats and Gov. Beverly Perdue’s staff.

House Republican leader Paul Stam of Wake County says the public wants more opportunities to place children in the schools that operate with greater flexibility than traditional public schools.

But Rep. William Wainwright says charter schools favor better-off families who might not need transportation or subsidized food offered by public schools. The Craven County Democrat also says more charter schools mean increased segregation.